A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

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C RO 169 CRO
Of the Autumn Crocus, the Rev. Dr. have but one, (being monocotyledonous
Herbert particularizes the tbllowin
C. Damascenas, pale purple; C. Byzantinus,
white; C. Tournefortianus,
French white ; C. Ca/nbessedesianus,
white, streaked witli purple ; C. medius
plants,) appears above the surface of
the earth.
" This occurs sometimes about the
end of the year; but oftener in earliest
spring. After this it is essential that
purple ; C. Cartwrightianus, purple ; they should have complete exposure to
C". far. Creticus, purple and pink ; C
the air, even in frosty weather, screen-
Chusianus, light purple. Bot. Re,
them, however, occasionally with
Characteristics of Excellence
Pirst.— It should be composed of
si.x petals, three inner and three outer
but fitting so close as to form a cup the
shape of half a hollow ball
"Second. — The petals should be
broad enough and blunt enough at the
ends to form an even edge all round
the cup, and lap over each other so
much as to have no indentations where
they join.
"Third.—The petals should be thick
loose straw from other injurious effects
of frost. In this manner may the young
crocuses be treated until the suu ac-
([uires sufficient power to dry the earth,
or as to require daily waterings. It will
be then found advantageous to remove
them to a cooler, but not sheltered
situation, and here they may remain
until their leaves lie down giving them
;
at all times, and in every situation,
while their leaves are growing, such
discretional rose waterings, wlion the
is not shining, as they may roason-
and smooth on the edge, without notch sun \
or serratine. ably appear to require but never until
;
"Fourth. — The colour should be the earth they grow in becomes dry;
dense and all over the same, if the not any whatever after their leaves
variety be a self; and the marking begin to look yellow. After this period
'
should be very distinct, if variegated. it is necessary to defend them from all
a 1,'ifih.— It should be hardy enough humidity, except dews and gentle rains,
to stand the frost, for those which are until the end of August or beginning of
spoiled by the frosts, which come after; September.
they Hower, are almost worthless, be-' " If the surface of the earth is occauso
they all bloom early, before the casionally stirred with the point of a
frosts are gone, and therefore their only knife it will never fail to be attended
beauty would be destroyed unless they with beneficial effects, and invigorate
stood the cold well.
the bulbs; if notwithstanding tho pre-
"Lastly. — They ought to bloom caution of thinly sowing the seeds, the
abundantly, the (lowers succeeding each plants should have grown so thickly to-
other to lengthen the season of their gether as to have incommoded each
bloom." Hort. Mag.
other, it will be desirable to have such
Cultivation.—"The seeds of crocuses taken up and replanted immediately
are best sown thinly, immediately after further asunder in fresh earth, and about
being gathered in light dry earth in large three quarters of an inch deep. But if
pots or pans, with a sufficiency of holes they are not too crowded, they will reand
potsherds at the bottom for the pur- quire no shifting ; sift a little earth over
pose of draining all, and cover not more them, previously stirring and cleaning
than half an inch with the mould. The the surface of the old from moss and
most eligible aspect or situation until weeds, and observing not to bury the
the autumnal rains set in, is a moderate- young bulbs, not yet so large as lentils,
ly shady, yet unsheltered one, permit- deeper than three quarters of an inch,
ting them to receive all the influence of or an inch at the most. The second
the weather, except such heavy showers season requires exactly the same man-
as would wash bare the seeds. As soon,
however, as the autumnal rains com-
and
mence, remove to a warm aspect ;
protect them from all excessive rains,
frosts, and snows, by the occasional
shelter of a garden-frame, allowing
them, nevertheless, the benefit of the
full air at other times ; but more espe-
P^.,,1.,
.,(>,, ,!,„ er."vTi-l lonT. for th"v
agement as the first. But as soon as
their second year's foilage has passed
away, the roots should all be taken up
and replanted again, the same or following
day, into fresh earth of the same
kind as before ; sifting over them in autumn
half an inch of fresh eartii. The
spring following, if they have been duly
atfnded f). mo< of thorn will show